A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators.

[Milton] calls the university "A stony-hearted step-mother."

Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.

Libraries are not made, they grow.

There were no books in Eden, and there will be none in heaven

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

It is the Mass that matters.

Great is bookishness and the charm of books.

The man who has a library of his own collection is able to contemplate himself objectively, and is justified in believing in his own existence.

That great dust-heap called 'history'.

Any ordinary man can...surround himself with two thousand books...and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is possible to be happy.

What we need and what we want is to moralize politics, not to politicize morals.

[Johnny Depp] a wonderful artist, and such a talented person. I got along with him, splendidly. He's charming and wonderful to work with. He's a dream.

Time is the warp and matter the weft of the woven texture of beauty in space, and death is the hurling shuttle.

Shut up! Go back to bed, America. Your government is in control. Here's Love Connection. Watch this and get fat and stupid.

Winning is a way of expressing yourself.

Sighing restlessly, the boundless sea broke huge rollers into white cream which hissed hungrily up to the tideline.

Art, at any rate in a novel, must be indissolubly linked with craft.

My father was a deeply spiritual, prophetic man, [who] I adored. I watched him pray as a boy and wanted to know the "Jesus" he shed tears for.

Being single is pretty good. It's a nice sense of irresponsibility.

The Senate needs 60 votes to pass anything. They have to compromise with liberal Democrats to spend more money. Even though arguably we have control of the Senate, we really don't.